On 30 June 2017, the Colas Rail Freight operated Class 67s. Recently named No. 67027 'Charlotte' and 67023 'Stella', top and tail vehicles 977969, 977997, 72631 and 975091 as the 'stand-in' New Measurement Train, working service 1Q18, the 04.25 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Paddington and Penzance. The train is seen here during its reversal at Teignmouth.

On 30 June 2017, the Colas Rail Freight operated Class 67s. Recently named No. 67027 'Charlotte' and 67023 'Stella', top and tail vehicles 977969, 977997, 72631 and 975091 as the 'stand-in' New Measurement Train, working service 1Q18, the 04.25 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Paddington and Penzance. The train is seen here during its reversal at Teignmouth.

On 30 June 2017, the Colas Rail Freight operated Class 67s. Recently named No. 67027 'Charlotte' and 67023 'Stella', top and tail vehicles 977969, 977997, 72631 and 975091 as the 'stand-in' New Measurement Train, working service 1Q18, the 04.25 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Paddington and Penzance. The train is seen here during its reversal at Teignmouth.

Not sure if I can cope with anymore extra, unusual and special trains along the Sea Wall on the same day! The last of Friday 30 June 2017s rush, was West Coast Railway Class 57/3 No. 57313 leading train 1Z44, the 09.11 Saltburn to Plymouth 'The Saltburn Pilgrim'. Sister loco No. 57315 was on the rear. The train is seen skirting Kings Walk between Dawlish Station and Kennaway Tunnel.

Another first for the Dawlish Sea Wall on 30 June 2017, the Colas Rail Freight operated Class 67s. Recently named No. 67027 'Charlotte' and 67023 'Stella', top and tail vehicles 977969, 977997, 72631 and 975091 as the 'stand-in' New Measurement Train, working service 1Q18, the 04.25 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Paddington and Penzance. Pity it was not a tad brighter, but nice to see something 'new' along the Sea Wall.

No. 50008 'Thunderer' is seen departing from Exeter St Davids on 29 June 2017, passing over Red Cow crossing powering train 4Z01, the 12.45 Chaddesden to Okehampton, formed of Loram rail grinder vehicles DR79301-DR79304. Returning that wonderful sound of EE music to the City of Exeter. When was the last time a Class 50 was recorded powering an engineers train at Exeter?

No. 50008 'Thunderer' is seen arriving at Exeter St Davids on 29 June 2017, passing over Red Cow crossing powering train 4Z01, the 12.45 Chaddesden to Okehampton, formed of Loram rail grinder vehicles DR79301-DR79304. Returning that wonderful sound of EE music to the City of Exeter. When was the last time a Class 50 was recorded powering an engineers train at Exeter?

Class 50 No. 50008 runs around its train at Exeter St Davids on 29 June 2017.

Full house at Exeter St Davids on 29 June 2017. Left to right we see a Class 159 on a Waterloo servive, a Class 221 on a CrossCountry duty, two FGW HSTs on main line services and Class 50 No. 50008 on train 4Z01 the 12.45 Chaddesden to Okehampton on the far right in platform 6.

Great Western Class 08 No. 08410 shunts barrier car No. 6348, and GW Sleeper stock Nos. 17174, 10225 at Long Rock depot, Penzance during the evening of 26 June 2017.

The return of the 'Mazey Day Cornishman' on 24 June 2017 was retimed due to the late running of the westbound train. Operating as 1Z45 the 17.20 Penzance to Worcester, emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish, powered by Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66525. The old DRS Type 3 was hanging on the back.

The 'Mazey Day Cornishman' charter, 1Z37, 05.40 Worcester to Penzance on 24 June 2017 was in trouble before it even started, with one Class 37 failing. The tour proceeded with just one loco, No. 37059, but lost further time. At Bristol, Freightliner provided Class 66/5 No. 66525 to pilot the train forward to Penzance. By the time this picture was taken passing Dawlish, it train was running 167min late. The trains return run was retimed to give passengers a 'little' time in the far Cornish rail head.

On 24 June 2017, a charter operated as 1Z40, 06.35 Woking to Kingswear powered in the west by 'Royal Scot Class' No. 46100 Royal Scot. With WCRC Class 47 No. 47237 on the rear, the train is seen between Dawlish Station and Kennaway Tunnel.

On 24 June 2017, a charter operated as 1Z40, 06.35 Woking to Kingswear powered in the west by 'Royal Scot Class' No. 46100 Royal Scot. With WCRC Class 47 No. 47237 on the rear, the train is seen between Dawlish Station and Kennaway Tunnel, passing a FGW HST on the up line, which blacked out the view for many who were standing in Marine Parade to witness the steam train passing.

The return maiden trip of a Class 800 from Paddington to Penzance, running as 5X92, 12.47 Penzance to North Pole International depot formed of sets 800003 and 800004 crosses Cockwood Harbour on 22 June 2017. Pity the light was not a little better, but thats life.

The return maiden trip of a Class 800 from Paddington to Penzance, running as 5X92, 12.47 Penzance to North Pole International depot formed of sets 800003 and 800004 crosses Cockwood Harbour on 22 June 2017. Pity the light was not a little better, but thats life.

The VERY first daytime run on an IEP along the Dawlish Sea Wall took place on 22 June 2017, when sets Nos. 800004 and 800003 formed train 5X90, the 05.02 North Pole depot to Penzance via Paddington. All previous tests west of Taunton have been by night and this is the first IEP to go west of Plymouth, blowing out the flames of all those who frequently have stated that 800s would 'never' go west of Plymouth. Its just a shame that the sun could not have produced for such an historic working.

The VERY first daytime run on an IEP along the Dawlish Sea Wall took place on 22 June 2017, when sets Nos. 800004 and 800003 formed train 5X90, the 05.02 North Pole depot to Penzance via Paddington. All previous tests west of Taunton have been by night and this is the first IEP to go west of Plymouth, blowing out the flames of all those who frequently have stated that 800s would 'never' go west of Plymouth. Its just a shame that the sun could not have produced for such an historic working.

The return 'Torbay Express' on 18 June 2017 was powered by No. 60163 'Tornado', piloting the DB Class 66 No. 66102. The train, 1Z28, 16.50 Kingswear to Bristol Temple Meads is seen passing the hamlet of Eastdon, between Dawlish Warren and Cockwood.

While the steam men were sobbing all over their cameras, the modern traction group were delighted to see the first of this years 'Torbay Express' trains piloted by a diesel. Due to a perceived fire risk, the 1Z27, 08.27 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear 'Torbay Express' is seen skirting King's Walk, Dawlish on 18 June 2017 powered by Class 66 No. 66102 piloting No. 60163 'Tornado'.

Passing below the Coastguards bridge and the original Coastguards cottages on the Dawlish Sea Wall, directly at the London end of Dawlish station, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70810 powers train 6C97, the 09.10 Saltash to Westbury empty long welded rail transporter and delivery train on a stunning sunny 18 June 2017.

First Great Western liveried Class 150/1 No. 150102 with a Great Western Railway liveried Class 153 depart from Dawlish on 18 June 2017 forming train 2T12, the 10.19 Exmouth to Paignton. On the up line is a Class 220 forming train 1M45, the 10.50 paignton to Manchester Piccadilly.

These days, Sunday freights on the Dawlish Sea Wall are almost non-existent, except for engineers trains. However, today, 4 June 2017 train 6C55, the 10.05 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside operated, formed of loaded clay wagons. The train was in fact the second portion of last Thursday/Fridays St Blazey-Exeter-Bescot working which did not operate. In dreadful weather, the train is seen approaching Dawlish station, powered by Class 66 No. 66025.

Class 57/6 No. 57605 pulls away from the Dawlish stop on 3 June 2017 with the 17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance service.

Well, I did not expect to get the down engineers in any sun today. A 20 second burst of light hit Lickey banker headlight fitted Class 66 No. 66056 approaching Kennaway Tunnel on 3 June 2017 powering train 6W97 the 15.53 Westbury to Camborne via Penzance long welded rail train.

On 3 June 2017, GWR 2E87 13.35 Plymouth to Exeter St Davids was is grim dull weather in Devon, so a little playing was needed, as I don't like to miss a loco-hauled train on the wall. Captured from the Dawlish end of Kennaway Tunnel, the train is seen in the open section between Coryton and Kennaway Tunnels. Power is provided by Class 57/6 No. 57605.

No major improvement in the weather for the return working of the NMT on 2 June 2017. Led by Class 43 No. 43014, the train emerges from Kennaway Tunnel in light rain running as 1Z18, 15.46 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol.